NOMMA commandant accepts post as Young Marines CEO

The commandant of the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy has been chosen as the national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines, a national youth organization.

Retired Col. William P. Davis will take over the post Jan. 1, replacing Mike Kessler who is retiring after 16 years in the position.

“Bill brings leadership, enthusiasm and vision, and I am very excited in knowing that our organization is in great hands,” Kessler said. “He is a natural fit to assume responsibilities. His knowledge of nonprofits and fiscal management is well-documented, as he runs a charter school in New Orleans. I look forward to watching the Young Marines work toward the goal of becoming a household name.”

In the late 1990s, Davis volunteered as the parent support and training officer for the Slidell Young Marines in Louisiana. He organized Young Marines training events and tours to units and bases. In addition, he provided classes for the annual regimental encampment as well as at recruit training events.

Since 2011, Davis has been commandant of NOMMA, where all students are cadets in the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. In that position, he successfully developed multiple grants and other financial support mechanisms through personal initiative with local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

After four years of operation, the academy had the highest levels of parental satisfaction. Test results and student performance improvement ranked well above averages by more established schools.

From 2006 to 2011, Davis was assistant chief of staff for facilities for the Marine Forces Reserve in New Orleans. He directed the construction, maintenance, safety and environmental oversight for the 187 locations of the Marine Corps Reserve across 48 states and the territory of Puerto Rico.

He previously served as the operations officer for the Joint Task Force Civil Support, U.S. Northern Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia, which lends military support to civilian authorities in the aftermath of a crisis.

During Hurricane Katrina operations, Davis worked extensively with federal, defense, state and local agencies to craft policies for leaders on the ground operating in a time-sensitive and chaotic environment.

Davis will move to Washington, D.C., with his wife, Brenda, and youngest son, Bradley.